Experts Tell Parents to Break Away From 'Hustle Culture' to Improve Family Relationships

hustle culture Black Mental Wellness University of Washington School of Medicine signs of a burnout four-day work week micro-breaks Congress stick to the routine goal-oriented parents Family Relationships

By Lilian Scott , Parent Herald Dec 15, 08:53 am

It is advisable for working parents who want to succeed in their professional life and have the mindset of achieving everything they set their goal to slow down or break away from this "hustle culture" to improve their family relationships.

According to the experts, hustle culture could be rewarding for some goal-oriented parents, especially in America, where hard work is a measure for success. But this is also a sure path to a quick physical, mental or emotional exhaustion. Dr. Nicole Cammack of Black Mental Wellness said the constant state of busyness could lead to more mistakes at work, loss of interest in the job, feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as lack of empathy and care for others, which could impact the way families relate to their spouses or kids.

Here are some ways busy parents could end the hustle culture in their professional life and start improving their family relationships:

Recognize the signs of burnout

Parents who constantly work overtime may find themselves becoming emotionally distant and more reactive to what's around them. They may easily snap at co-workers or be very irritable at home and can't even enjoy their relaxation time with their kids.

These are some clear signs of burnout that may also make the small tasks or errands challenging, according to Dr. Anne Browning of the University of Washington School of Medicine. To get out of this headspace, it might help to commit to a rest day or a hobby time where no work is involved and then stick to this schedule.

Engage your family

Breaking away from the hustle culture might be unnerving initially, especially for a workaholic. However, if parents engage their family and do recreational activities together, it will be easier to stick to the routine of setting aside work for a few days a week.

Clarify what is most important in your tasks

Along with committing to a rest day, parents should narrow down what really makes the most significant impact in what they do and then focus on giving this their 110 percent. They should delegate or dial back on the tasks draining their energy, which should be better spent on their family or kids.

Allow micro-breaks and rest hard if you work hard

In between doing the tasks, workaholic parents should give their bodies and minds "micro-breaks" so they can recalibrate, reset, recharge, and prevent burnout. If parents are working hard, they should consider resting hard as well. A break from work is not something to be earned because everyone deserves downtime, especially when overworked and stressed at their jobs.

A bill was passed in Congress on December 7 proposing a four-day work week to give American workers, especially parents, more time for their families and self-care. If approved, it would require employers to pay their workers overtime beyond 32 hours a week, down from 40 hours a week in the current set-up. In the last decade, a four-day work week has been gaining ground in some European countries, and the call to adopt this policy has been more glaring after COVID-19.